Venetian blind bottom bar



Dec. 22, 1953 H. K. LORENTZEN VENETIAN BLIND BOTTOM BAR 2 SheetsShe'ec 2 Filed Sept. 15, 1949 INVENTOR l/AA/S K A ORE/V TZE/V BY flw;

M fz-zog IS ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1953 VENETIAN BLIND BOTTOM BAR Hans K. Lorentzen, Montclair, N. .l'., assignor to Lorentzen Hardware Mfg. Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 13, 1949, Serial No. 115,407

9 Claims.

This invention relates to Venetian blinds, and more particularly to a bottom bar organization therefor.

A Venetian blind is essentially an assembly of superimposed articulated slats which are suspended from a head bar extending across the top of the blind and on which is mounted mechanism for raising and tilting the slats of the blind. This mechanism includes a tilt bar from which ladder tapes depend, the ladder tapes carrying the slats. Attached to the bottoms of the ladder tapes there is a bottom bar, and lift cords are attached to the bottom bar for raising the bot tom bar and thereby picking up the slats to raise the blind.

Venetian blinds are made in large numbers and it is desirable to have a bottom bar thereon which can be economically manufactured on a quantity production basis. It is equally desirable that the bottom bar organization be one which 2' can be incorporated into the blind with facility Without the use of special tools or equipment. Also it is important that the bottom bar be securely attached to the ladder tapes and lift cords, since these attachments are subject to high stress when the blind is allowed to drop from fully closed position to fully open position.

A general object of the invention is to provide a Venetian blind bottom bar organization which can be rapidly and economically manufactured on a quantity production basis and which can be satisfactorily incorporated into the blind in a facile manner.

Other objects of the invention are to provide such a bottom bar organization in which the parts thereof are adapted for manufacture by rolling or stamping from sheet metal, to provide such a bottom bar which affords secure attachment to the lift cords and ladder tapes, to provide such a bottom bar which can be quickly attached to and detached from the lift cords and ladder tapes, to provide such a bottom bar which can be incorporated into the blind and removed therefrom without the use of special tools or equipment, and to provide such a'bottom bar which can be used in both two-lift-cord blinds and four-lift-cord blinds.

Further objects and objects relating to details and economies of construction, assembly and use will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

In the form shown of the present invention a rolled sheet metal channel member is adapted to extend along the length of the bottom of a Venetian blind. The channel has parallel vermanufacture,

tical side walls the top portions of which are rolled inwardly, forming inwardly-extending flanges. A cover member of lesser length than the channel is centrally located thereon. At each .end of the central cover member arched fittings are secured to the channel by snap-in engagement with the channel. These fittings are adapted to secure both the lift cords and the ladder tapes. End cover members are secured to the channel and extend from the outward ends of the aforesaid fittings to the ends of the channel. A cap member is telescoped over each end of the channel and the adjacent end portion of the cover member. In blinds having four lift cords two'additional arched fittings are utilized and, therefore, additional cover members are required.

My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims. In both the description and the claims, parts at times may be identified by specific names for clarity and convenience, but such nomenclature is to be understood ashaving the broadest meaning consistent with the context and with the concept of my invention as distinguished from the pertinent prior art. The

best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a bottom portion of a Venetian blind, some parts being in exploded relationship to facilitate understanding of the structure.

Fig. 2 is a section, on a larger scale, taken generally on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in transient position during assembly. 7

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a knotted lift cord attached to the fitting shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view, show-- ing a fitting-attached portion of the bottom ban Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the fitting per se that is shown in Fig. 5, the fitting being in-,

verted.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the two branches of a ladder tape attached to the fitting.

Fig. 8 is an isometric view of one of the U-shaped tape-securing clips that are shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an isometric View of a modified fitting for use where the Venetian blind has four lift cords V x Fig. 10 is an isometric view showing the fitting of Fig. 9 in inverted position.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. l which shows a channel [I] for extending along the bottom of a Venetian blind (not shown). Attached to the top of the channel are centrally located cover member H and end cover members i2, !2, all of which are transversely arched. End caps i5, i are adapted to be telescoped over each end of the channel 80 and the adjacent end of the end cover member 52. Fittings, designated as a whole by it, It, are: adapted to overlie adjacent portions of the cover members it and i2, i2 and to be attached to the top of the channel it by snap-in engagement therewith. Vertical branches ll, 1? of a ladder tape, designated as a whole by M, and an end of a lift cord are attached to each fitting it before the fitting is secured to the channel it}.

The channel ill has parallel vertical side walls 2|, 2!, the top portions of which are provided with inwardly extending flanges 22, 22. Parallel spaced vertical webs 2t, 24: arepositioned, as shown between the walls 2 l 2 l: and extend slightly higher than the walls 2!, 2!, the tops ol the walls 2%, 2i and webs 2c, 24 defining an. arch. The channel i3 may be rolled. from sheet metal and may be the same as. the channel disclosed in my copending application S. N. 780,653 filed October 18, 1947.

The cover member i l, which is of lesser length than the length of the channel it, and which. has ends 26, 25, is secured to the top of? the channel i!!- centrally thereof. End' cover members l2, l2, are

also secured to the top of the channel l0. These,

Each of cover members H". and l2, l2: may be.

telescoped into the channel it from. one of the ends of the channel, being inserted with the. inwardly-extending flanges 22, 220i the channel overlying the longitudinal edges. of' the cover members. The webs 24, 26 abut the bottom surface of the cover member asshown in Fig. 2,.

Each cover member may also be put in;pla ce byin inserting one of its longitudinal edges. under an inwardly-extending fiange 2 2, and temporarily arching the cover member sufficiently. to. permit.

the opposite longitudinal edge of. the cover. member to be inserted-under the other fiange 24 The three cover membersare of the same crosssection and they may be cut from Venetian blind slat stock of standard form. Preferably the original curvature of the cover members is not as great as that defined by the tops of the webs. 2d, 24 in conjunction with the bottom surface of the inwardly-extending flanges 22, 22. the cover member is inserted its transverse curvature is increased and, due to the resilience of the cover, its longitudinal edges yieldingly hug the flanges 24, 2:1.

The cap members i5, i5, which are telescoped onto theends of the bar, may be made from any suitable material such as plastic or sheet metal. Preferably, the skirt of the cap hassubstantially the same cross sectional configuration as the outside outline of channel H! with cover l2 in place, the skirt being of such size as to makea frictional holding fit on the bottom bar.

Fittings l6, l6 are first attached to a Venetian;

Therefore as 42 of; the keyhole slot 3!.

4 blind by attaching each fittingto a ladder tape and its companion lift cord.

Each fitting I6 is a one-piece sheet metal stamping of generally rectangular form, having an arched plate portion 29 adapted to span across the channel [0. The center portion 3i! of the plate 29 is embossed upwardly and is provided with a keyhole slot 3! (see Figs. 5-7). The metal bounding the small end 32 of the slot Si is further elevated to form a downwardly-facing socket 33.

Anenlarged lift cord end 20, which may be formed by securing a metal bead ii to the lift cord (Figs. 2 and 3) is inserted in the large end The lift cord 4% is then shifted to the small end 32 of the slot and the enlarged end. 20 of the lift cord as is seated within the downwardly facing socket 38 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 8). The small end 32 of the slot is of such diameter that the enlarged end of the lift cord: is. not. subject: to fortuitous disengagement. The bead. 41' may. be the same as, and attached in the same manner as, the cord stop bead: disclosed.- in. the copending. Nelson- Patent 2,565,983 issued August. 28, 1951. If desired'ins-tead' of using a bead 4 1i, thecord can b threadedthrough the. slot 3|. and: a knot 39. tied in the end: of the cord to retain itin the fitting.

Central side portionsiid; 3.1- at the plate 32 are elevated, so; that when the fitting lad: is secured. to the channel, l5 there will be clearance for. the vertical branches; H, H of the ladder tape l'9.be' tween the sides of the plate 32. and the flanges 22, 22 of the channel.

Four extensions 35, one adjacentv each corner of the pIateBLeXtend; downwardly and inwardly; and bridge members. 36, 3b integrally connect the two extensions on the respective sides of the fitting. Each extension 35.isprovidedwitharesilient nose portion, 31;.

The bridge members 36; 36. which, integrally connect the extensions 35-, 35. of the respective sides of the fitting; 15 are adapted toreceive and. have secured thereto the vertical. branches H1, H: of; a ladder, tape, The vertical branches. extend down, past: the; upraised central side portions. 34; 34 and thence betweeni the extensions 35, 35"on' the respective sides of the fitting. The end of the branches l- H are then; folded: back uponthemselves around the bridge; members 3.6;. 36.,

and U-shaped; clips; 49,, 4,9. (seealso Fig- 8;) are telescoped over the, folded portions. of. the. vertie cal branches of the ladder tape securing; themto the bridgemembers as shown. in Figs.,2;. 3 and '7. The. clips; 42, are, stamped from sheet metal, and they resiliently, clasp the: ladder tape;

After the ladder tapes and; lif-tcordshavebeen securedlto; thefittingsj 1:6, IE, the: fittings are ready to be secured: to. thebottom, bar by snap-in engagement of the fittings; into; the; channel, thus attachingthebottom bar; to theblind; The fittings- IE, 16 are positioned. on top; of; the channel. at the gaps 2 8, 2 8 and. are: then, pressed; downwardly; The resilient noseportions 3'! of extensions: 35; make snap-in engagement with theinwardl-y-ex tending flanges. 22-, 22 oh the channel, thereby. l.Zecudzling the channel it tothefittings andstorthe With. the fittings secured to the; channel the, ladder tapes-are further secured against any nos-- sible fortuitous. disengagement, since, each; vertical branch.- l'I-,, atter extending downwardly past the edge 43, of the-central side portiqn 34,.tnrns inwardly between the centralside: portion 34: of the. fittingv and the inwardly-extending flange 22 one 5. of the channel, then turns downwardly at the inside edge of the flange 22 and then is folded about and secured to the bridge member .36. By the snap-in engagement of the fitting with the chan nel, the vertical branch of the ladder is drawn taut and displacement of the bottom bar is resisted at the inside edge of the flange 22 and the outside edge of the central side portion 34. This is illustrated by Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 2 showing the fitting completely engaged and Fig. 3 showing the fitting partially engaged.

The entire construction of the bottom bar is suoh'that it can be adapted to rapid and economical manufacture on a quantity production basis. The parts are of such construction that they lend themselves to such production, being of rolled or stamped sheet metal, and the cover members being lengths of standard slat stock which is widely used in the industry. The bottom bar is also very easy to assemble, and it can be assembled and disassembled without the use of any special tools or devices. Also the construction is one which affords secure attachment of the lift cords and ladder tapes to the bottom bar and prevents fortuitous disengagement of the bottom bar.

For so-called four-lift-cord Venetian blinds, fittings of modified form are provided. The fitting 43 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is similar in construction to the fitting f 8, but the keyhole slot 3| is omitted and there are two raised portions id, it with an opening 45 located between them. As shown in Fig. 10, a pulley assembly 46 is located on the underside of the fitting. Integral tabs il, ll and it extend from the pulley assembly, up through the opening d5, and are bent over to secure the pulley assembly 46 to the fitting 43. A sheave 53 is rotatably mounted in the assembly 46, adjacent one side of the opening 45.

The fitting 43 is attached to the channel in the same manner as fitting Hi, the fitting 43 having the downwardly and inwardly disposed extensions 35 provided with snap-in nose portions 31. Ladder tapes are also secured to the fitting 43 in the same manner as they are secured to the fitting lt, fitting as being provided with bridge members 36, 36. The fitting 43 is also provided with the central side portions 34, 34.

In a so-called four-lift-cord blind, a lift cord is passed down through the opening 45, over the sheave t, thence to a second fitting, over its sheave, and up through the opening in the second fitting, all as is well known in the art. The tab 48 located adjacent the same side of the opening as the sheave 50 acts as a bearing surface for the lift cord, as do side tabs 41, 41. As seen in Fig. 10, the body stamping for the pulley assembly is so made that the sheave 50 can be mounted in either end of the stamping or, if desired, two sheaves could be installed, one in each end of the body stamping.

I claim:

1. In a Venetian blind, a bottom bar organization comprising: a sheet metal channel extending along the bottom of the Venetian blind, a cover member of lesser length than the channel and secured to the channel centrally of its ends, a pair of sheet metal fittings positioned on top of the channel and secured to the channel by snapin engagement of the fitting with the channel, one of said fittings being located adjacent to each end of the central cover member, a pair of lift cord ends secured to said fittings, vertical branches of ladder tapes extending downwardly adjacent the sides of said fittings, means attaching said branches to said fittings, and end cover members secured to the channel and extending from the outward ends of said fittings to adiacent the ends of the channel, the end portions of the fittings overlying the cover members.

2. For a Venetian blind, a bottom bar, said bottom bar comprising: a sheet metal channel adapted to extend along the bottom of a Venetian blind, the channel having vertical side walls the top portions of which are provided with inwardly-extending flanges; and a pair of generally rectangular sheet metal fittings adapted to span across said channel and having extensions adjacent each corner which extend downwardly and inwardly, the fittings being further provided with bridge members connecting the two extensions on eachside of each of said fittings, said bridge members being adapted to receive and have secured thereon vertical branches of ladder tape, the fittings being adapted to be secured to the top of the channel by snap-in engagement of the extensionsof thefittings with the inwardly-extending flanges of the channel.

3. For a Venetian blind, a bottom bar, said bottom bar comprising: a sheet metal channel adapted to extend along the bottom of a Venetian blind, the channel having vertical side walls the top portions of which are provided with inwardlyextending flanges; and a pair of sheet metal fittings adapted to span across the top of said channel, and having portions which extend downwardly and inwardly, said portions being adapted to receive and have secured thereto branches of ladder tape, the fittings being adapted to be secured to the top of the channel by snap-in engagement of the downwardly and inwardly-extending portions with the inwardly-extending flanges of the channel.

4. In a Venetian blind, a bottom bar organization comprising: a sheet metal channel extending along the bottom of the Venetian blind, the channel having vertical side walls the top portions of which are provided with inwardly-extending flanges; a pair of generally rectangular sheet metal fittings spanning across the top of said channel, and having extensions adjacent each corner thereof which extend downwardly and inwardly, the fittings being further provided with bridge members integrally connecting the two extensions on each side of each said fitting; and ladder tapes having each vertical branch thereof extending downwardly and then between a side portion of one of said fittings and the top of one of said inwardly-extending flanges of the channel, the tape branch then extending over the free edge of said flange and thence downwardly between the two extensions on that side of the fitting, and the end portion of the tape branch being folded about the adjacent bridge member and secured thereto, said fittings being secured on top of the channel by snap-in engagement of said extensions with the inwardly-extending flanges of the channel.

5. A fitting for facilitating the attachment of a ladder tape and lift cord to a Venetian blind bottom bar, said fitting comprising: a generally rectangular, sheet metal plate adapted to span across a bottom bar, the plate having a centrally located formation for facilitating attachment of the end portion of a lift cord, lateral extensions adjacent each corner of the plate extending downwardly and inwardly, each of said extensions forming a nose portion adapted for resilient, snapin engagement with an inwardly-extending edge portion of the bottom bar, the central side poramazon tions of the plate. between the extensions being elevated to provide; clearance: for the vertical branches of the ladder tape thereheneath; and bridge members integrally connecting the ends of they extensions on the respective sides of the fitting, the bridge membersbeingadapted tohare end portions of the verticalbranches of. theila'didei: tape secured thereto.

6.; A fitting for facilitating: the attachmentof' a ladder tape andzli'ft cord'to a venetianblind bottom Year, said fitting comprising: a generally'rectangular, sheetmetal pl'ate-adapted togspan across a bottom bar, the. plate, having a centrally located formation for facilitating attachment of the end portion of a lift; cord, lateral extensionsadjacent each: corner of the plate; extending downwardlya ladder tape and iiit cord to a Venetian blind hottoin ear, said fitting coinprising:v a generally rectangular, sheet metal plate adapted to span across a bottom bar, the plate having a centrally located formation for facilitating attachment, of an enlarged end portion of a lift cord, lateral extensions adjacent each corner of the plateextending downwardly and inwardly, and bridge members integrally connecting the endsof the.

two extensions on the respective sides of; the fi.t ting, the bridge members being adapted to have end portions of the vertical branches of the ladder tape secured thereto;

8. The combination with a metallic' bottom rail having an open top and inwardly projecting flanges on the side walls thereof, of a cord guide and anchor spacer plate spanning the open top, said plate having a cord opening therein, raised, horizontally projecting ears on the ends of said plate for facial engagement with the. topside of the inwardly projecting flanges, and horizontally spaced downwardly and inwardly bent projecting legs, rolled: at their point of bend, for frictional and resilient engagement with the edge and; inner face of the flange when the plate is sprung to assembled position to engage the flanges on the bottom rail.

9. A Venetian blind bottom bar organization comprising: a bottom bar channel having an open top and inwardly directed flanges at the top edges of the side walls thereof, a tape anchor. spanning between the flangesof the channel, the anchor having portions overlying the flanges oi" the channel and terminating on each side of the channel in an. edge in substantial alinement with the side of said channel, the anchor having other portions engaged beneath the flanges of the channel to retain the anchor on the channel, and a ladder tape having the lower end portions of its vertical. branches extending one between each channel flange and the overlying portion of the anchor and secured to the anchor, said edges of the anchor being at least as long as the width of the longitudinal tapes of the ladder tape.

HANS K. LORENTZEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

